Part of the practice of many witches and Wiccans is spell craft, the intentional focus of will to create change. There are many books and people who promote the use of incantations with items of corresponding colors, herbs, oils, among other ingredients. These bells and whistles can be useful when you are a beginner or need the stimuli to help you focus in spell crafting. However, they are not necessary to effect change. Having the will and the ability to focus, raise, and direct energy makes a spell productive. Spell casting is about the power within.

Sometimes, I hear people of the craft thinking of spell crafting in discrete, short term measures. Does this describe you? As an example, perhaps it’s the full moon, and you want to increase your finances, so you do a spell. You set your intention, perform a spell or ritual, and then you think you are done. Yes, the intention is out there in the universe, but what else are you doing to create change, to make the conditions favorable for the change and reward you wish to see? It is not enough to cast the spell and be done.

In her book Warrior Goddess Training, author Heatherash Amara says, “Transformation starts with how we use our words- how we speak our story to ourselves and others. Like body and mind, words are vessels. Each word we choose can hold the vibration of healing, peace, and love, or be brimming with fear, victimization, and judgment. Our words help to nourish or deplete our vessel.”

Spell crafting is literally about the words we use, either spoken aloud or held in our hearts. To create change, we must change our story. We must use impeccable words. If we wish to transform our lives, even in small moments of a simple spell, we must be aware of the bigger picture and story we are telling ourselves. What are you really trying to accomplish? Let this bigger goal imbue your working, your daily living. Looking forward, you can choose to live into the story you wish to see. Let your everyday words be a part of the spelling of a better world for yourself.

Of course, there will be set backs, or maybe things don’t move in the direction you want as quickly as you’d like. Take the time to see what else you can being doing to meet your goals. Are they worth goals? Are you swimming upstream? Are you committed to the long haul or do you need to shift directions? If you’ve had a set-back or you are in a slump, how can you reinvigorate your magick? Words matter. Intention matters.

In reflection, I ask you to consider: What story are you telling about your life-both magickal and mundane? Does your story need to change? Or are you satisfied in the spelling of it? ​In mirth and reverence,Sarah